Never Say Goodbye Wool Blanket

Never say goodbye. In Lushootseed, the word huy means “See you again" or "we never say goodbye”. The Seattle-based Huy organization provides economic, educational, rehabilitative, and religious support for incarcerated Indigenous people in the Pacific Northwest and throughout the United States. In this way, Huy ensures we never say goodbye to our incarcerated relatives and instead uplift them on their journey back to health and prosperity. In celebration of this mission, the Huy organization worked with Louie Gong (Nooksack) and Eighth Generation to create the Never Say Goodbye Wool Blanket. This blanket sparks powerful conversations on the colonial justice system and unfair racial prejudices, and stands as a symbol of Native resiliency can caretaking. Louie is generously donating his royalties from sales on the Never Say Goodbye Wool Blanket to Huy.

The central motif—a butterfly designed in Louie's distinctive Coast Salish style—spreads its wings across the entire blanket, encompassing the wearer in a protective and healing embrace. "I thought to myself, 'What symbol embodies our highest hopes and aspirations for people who are incarcerated?', and what popped up was the butterfly," shares Louie. "My butterfly design combines contemporary Coast Salish art and very vibrant colors, and I positioned the design on the blanket in a way that if somebody gets blanketed, the butterfly wings embrace them. I want them to feel inspired, hopeful, and energized, and ready for positive transformation."

Gabe Galanda, Huy Chairman and a member of the Round Valley Indian Tribes, also shares that vision of a hopeful embrace. "I envision wrapping the first blankets around brothers and sisters who have successfully returned home, and other brothers and sisters who are helping those still in Iron Houses prepare themselves to return home," says Gabe. "Through Louie’s Coast Salish butterfly design and collaboration with Huy’s work, the community is collaborating on behalf of our incarcerated Indigenous relatives and in a way that benefits and heals us all."

Read more about the incredible work Huy does for our community on our blog here.

Read more about the design unveiling ceremony Huy held with Louie Gong at Eighth Generation on Converge Media here.

• Louie Gong is generously donating his royalties from sales of the Never Say Goodbye Wool Blanket to Huy
• 2-sided design
• Covers top of queen size bed (59 in x 78 in / 200 cm x 150 cm)
• Colors include cream, green, yellow, and red; this colorway was chosen by Eighth Generation's audience in a vote on Instagram
• Microsuede edge band
• 100% wool pile; 100% polyester warp
• Designed by Louie Gong (Nooksack)
• Imported
• Recommended care is dry clean only; however, you can rinse your blanket on a gentle, cold setting and hang dry away from direct sunlight.
• Clean liquid stains immediately with warm water and mild detergent; never use harsh chemicals or scrub wool; store blanket away from direct sunlight

Thank you for supporting Inspired Natives®, not "Native-inspired."